BOULDER, Colo.-
The Bethany Baptist Church told the Easter story this year with graffiti, interactive spiritual stations, nails and a Medieval prayer labyrinth.
“Graffiti has an interesting history to it. I call it vandalism. Some call it art. We wanted to use it because the story of the passion and the crucifixion of Christ is a very raw story,” said Pastor Rob Stout.
“I think graffiti screams at you,” said graffiti artist Nolan Lee, a 21-year-old anthropology student at the University of Colorado. “I think it’s the perfect art form for Good Friday.”
The 35-foot-long prayer labyrinth, unlike a maze, had only one end. The candlelit path was traced on the floor.
Church member Jeff Rummer conceded the observance was “outside of the normal church box. We want to open their eyes to what Jesus really did for us on the cross.”
Lee said he was trying to communicate God’s message with his work. “Hopefully, he used me for his purpose in this,” he said.
The panels of graffiti included a depiction of Christ’s suffering through a spray-painted black eye and crown of thorns.
One interactive station included a clip from the Mel Gibson film “The Passion of Christ,” showing Christ being beaten.
“We can’t celebrate Easter without knowing the depth of pain and suffering of Good Friday,” Rummer said.
Traditional labyrinths began in the Middle Ages for people who couldn’t make pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
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